It was a particularly poignant request considering Buddy Ryan was diagnosed last week with cancer in his neck.

On Sunday night, Rob Ryan and his twin brother, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, will try to outdo each other in a nationally televised season-opener on 9-11.

The elder Ryan is expected to be in attendance at MetLife Stadium after delaying surgery. He said he plans to fly to New York on Friday and return home to Kentucky on Monday.

“They said go ahead and go,” 80-year-old Ryan said. “I’ve got to be able to do something (while waiting for the operation).”

Given the close-knit nature of the family and his father’s history of beating melanoma in 1968 and 1980, Rob isn’t surprised Buddy will be a face in the crowd.

“That’s just the way he is,” Rob said. “This is a big thing for him, a big thing for the Ryans. He’s just about the only guy that’s beaten cancer about every time. He’s been through it about four or five times. I’m sure the prognosis is great for him because he always wins.”

Rob said his father’s spirit is inspiring.

“All he taught us is: ‘Do the job,’ ” Rob said. “That’s the way he is, so it’s not that difficult. Obviously (we’re) praying a lot for him and things have to go well because that’s what it is. But he raised us to do the job. Whatever we do, we’re going to be the best at it – and that’s what we are.”

What they are also is tight.

“You can’t be any closer than what we are,” Rob said. “We’re a pretty tight family…This game is important to him. He wants to see these two rams (butt) heads, and we’re going to get after it.”

Here’s how close the Ryans are: Rob and Rex talk several times a week, and both frequently call their father for advice.

“They always say they want to do this and then it’s, ‘What do you think?’ Buddy said. “They’re their own man, though. Both are bona fide coaches.”